Trio of RBs to give A&M offense some legs to stand on

Dekaney High School running back Trey Williams, 19, talks with the media after he signed his letter of intent to play at Texas A&M and Williams signed to play at Stephen F. Austin on National Signing Day at Dekaney High School Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, in Spring. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle )

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Texas A&Mat South Carolina

When/where: 5 p.m. today; Columbia, S.C.

TV/radio: SEC Network; 950 AM and 1010 AM (Spanish).

COLUMBIA, S.C. - All eyes will be on sophomore Kenny Hill, successor to Johnny Manziel as Texas A&M's quarterback, starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. Should the Aggies stick to their early proclaimed offensive plan at South Carolina, however, expect all those eyes to eventually shift to the swift, muscular men lined up behind Hill.

"These guys" are a trio of juniors - Tra Carson, Trey Williams and Brandon Williams - expected to lift much of the burden off of Hill in his first college start, one in a hostile, spirited environment of Williams-Brice Stadium.

The A&M-South Carolina showdown not only kicks off the college season among the major schools, it also serves as the first Southeastern Conference contest of 2014 and the first live game on the new SEC Network.

"You have to play them some time," Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said of opening the season with a challenging league game. "So you might as well play one in the first few games. (And) the opportunity to open college football has really (gotten) our players a little juiced up through practices."

Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy two years ago based largely on his scrambling ability, rushed 345 times for 2,169 yards (6.3 yards per carry) over the past two seasons. His coaches, occasionally exasperated with his desire to shoulder much of the ground game, couldn't argue with the results, considering Manziel owns the top two SEC single-season total yardage marks.

Pound, slash and speed

Now, the likes of Williams & Williams (no relation) and Carson should earn every chance to tote the load, especially since Hill appears quite willing to execute coach Kevin Sumlin's high-octane offense as it's designed. And Sumlin has said the Aggies' ground game - this time actually led by running backs - should figure quite prominently in the overall plan.

"You've got the pound, and when you try to stop the pound, you've got the slash, and when you try to stop the slash, you've got the speed, quickness and agility," said the 5-8, 195-pound Trey Williams, who led Dekaney to a Class 5A state title in 2011. "(Opponents) are like, 'Dang, what can we do?' The next thing you know, we're passing. There are a lot of abilities to try and stop, and I believe we're going to keep rolling."

While Williams didn't specify exactly which back provides what description, at 235 pounds it's safe to say the 6-0 Carson is the "pounder" of the gang, with each Williams (Brandon checks in at 6-0 and 200 pounds) adding his own heavy dose of slashing and dashing.

The Aggies (9-4 last season) have led the SEC in offense their first two years in the league. Sumlin owns a reputation as a pass-happy mastermind, but he continues reeling in big-time talent at running back. The Williamses were five-star prospects out of high school, with Brandon, a Brookshire Royal ex, transferring from Oklahoma two years ago to move closer to his two daughters.

"My two little girls mean everything to me, and if I had to stop playing football right now and get a regular job, 9 to 5, to support them, I would do that," he said.

Brandon Williams has said he owns extra motivation to excel because of his little ones, and Sumlin noticed during camp. The third-year coach said the ex-Sooner "had as good a camp as anyone" in his charge for playing time.

Meanwhile, another prominent transfer, Carson from Oregon, made his mark last season with not only his powerful running but his solid pass protection, and he likely will earn the start against the Gamecocks because of his rounded contributions.

Competition within

But McKinney and Sumlin have cautioned fans and media not to peg any of the trio as the starter. All three are anticipated to earn their fair share of carries despite a slew of touted receivers headlined by freshman Ricky Seals-Jones.

"We all want to see the others do well," Carson said of the ongoing competition between the ball carriers. "We push each other every day in practice, and off the field we're very close."

Manziel, eight months removed from his final game at A&M, still earns plenty of headlines for his collegiate exploits, and most observers know little about the Aggies' potentially potent running game. Trey Williams said that's fine - the three anticipate catching opponents by surprise, just as Manziel did two years ago as a mostly unknown quarterback.

"A lot of people are underestimating us," Trey Williams said, smiling. "And that will mean a 'W.' "